Swoopes has stirred controversy in the basketball world for criticizing the Iowa star.

WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes found herself embroiled in controversy after her comments about rising basketball stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese sparked backlash across social media platforms.

Recently, Swoopes staunchly denied accusations of racism following her remarks, asserting, “Black people can’t be racist.”

Swoopes digs bigger hole with racism comment

The incident unfolded during an episode of the Gil’s Arena podcast, where Swoopes expressed her perspective on Clark and Reese’s transition to the WNBA.

While discussing the players’ potential in the league, Swoopes emphasized the importance of managing expectations and highlighted the challenges of making a seamless transition from college to professional basketball.

Facing scrutiny for her statements, Swoopes defended herself by providing full context to her remarks.

She clarified, “For people to come at me and say that I made those comments because I’m a racist – First of all, black people can’t be racist, but that’s the farthest thing from my mind.

I grew up in a very small, west Texas town, predominantly white. My best childhood friend is white.

Went to a predominantly white college, won a national championship, pretty much everyone on the team was white, we’re sisters to this day. That’s not a part of my DNA.”

Addressing her critics, Swoopes emphasized the need for a nuanced understanding of the broader context of her discussion.

She highlighted the competitive nature of the WNBA and the challenges that rookies like Clark and Reese might face in establishing themselves in the league.

Swoopes’ original comments on Caitlin Clark

Swoopes then called out her critics by saying they only watched small clips without understanding the broader context of the discussion.

She previously said Caitlin Clark is potentially the greatest college shooter she’s ever seen.

Swoopes added that it was important to temper expectations and not assume that players like Clark and LSU star Angel Reese will immediately be dominant at the WNBA level.

While Swoopes’ comments garnered mixed reactions, it is evident that the conversation around the expectations for collegiate athletes entering the WNBA remains a topic of debate.

As Clark and Reese prepare to enter the professional ranks, the spotlight on their performances and adjustments will continue to shape the discourse within the basketball community.

Despite the controversy, Swoopes remains an influential figure in women’s basketball, with her legacy as a three-time WNBA MVP and four-time champion cemented in the sport’s history.

As the WNBA landscape evolves, discussions about player development, professionalism, and racial dynamics are likely to remain at the forefront of the conversation.